Forecasters: Matthew strengthens to a major Category 3 hurricane in Caribbean

Hurricane Matthew has strengthened to a Category 3 storm as it moves through the Caribbean.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds early Friday have increased to around 100 mph (161 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says additional strengthening is forecast and Matthew could become a major hurricane later in the day or Friday night.

Matthew had been centered earlier Friday about 125 miles (201 kilometers) north of Curacao and 565 miles (909 kilometers) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and was moving west near 14 mph (22 kph).